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CCNA Practice Question: A user on VLAN 10 reports that they cannot ping…

This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

Exhibit

Switch# show running-config interface GigabitEthernet0/1
Building configuration...

Current configuration : 155 bytes
!
interface GigabitEthernet0/1
 description Access Port for VLAN 10
 switchport mode access
 switchport access vlan 10
 no ip address
 spanning-tree portfast
end

Switch# show vlan brief

VLAN Name                             Status    Ports
---- -------------------------------- --------- -------------------------------
1    default                          active    Gi0/2, Gi0/3, Gi0/4
10   Engineering                      active    Gi0/1
100  Management                       active    Gi0/24
1002 fddi-default                     act/unsup
1003 token-ring-default               act/unsup
1004 fddinet-default                  act/unsup
1005 trnet-default                    act/unsup

Switch# show interfaces GigabitEthernet0/1 switchport
Name: Gi0/1
Switchport: Enabled
Administrative Mode: static access
Operational Mode: static access
Administrative Trunking Encapsulation: dot1q
Operational Trunking Encapsulation: native
Negotiation of Trunking: Off
Access Mode VLAN: 10 (Engineering)
Trunking Native Mode VLAN: 1 (default)
Administrative Native VLAN tagging: enabled
Voice VLAN: none
Administrative private-vlan host-association: none
Administrative private-vlan mapping: none
Administrative private-vlan trunk native VLAN: none
Administrative private-vlan trunk Native VLAN tagging: enabled
Administrative private-vlan trunk encapsulation: dot1q
Administrative private-vlan trunk normal VLANs: none
Administrative private-vlan trunk private VLANs: none
Operational private-vlan: none
Trunking VLANs Enabled: ALL
Pruning VLANs Enabled: 2-1001
Capture Mode Disabled
Capture VLANs Allowed: ALL

Protected: false
Appliance trust: none

A user on VLAN 10 reports that they cannot ping the default gateway at 192.168.10.1 from their PC with IP 192.168.10.50/24. The switch interface connecting to the PC is up/up, and the PC shows a valid IP configuration. What is the most likely cause of this connectivity failure?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

  • Clue: "most likely"

    Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

Configure an SVI for VLAN 10 with an IP address in the 192.168.10.0/24 subnet.

The PC is configured with an IP address of 192.168.10.50/24, but the VLAN assigned to the switchport is VLAN 10 (Engineering), which is correct. However, the default gateway for the PC must be reachable via the switch's Layer 3 interface (SVI) for VLAN 10. The problem is that the switch does not have an SVI for VLAN 10 configured. Without an SVI, the switch cannot route traffic for VLAN 10, so the PC cannot reach the default gateway. Option B is correct because configuring the SVI for VLAN 10 with an IP address in the same subnet as the PC will provide the default gateway. Option A is wrong because the port is already in access mode and VLAN 10 is correctly assigned. Option C is wrong because the PC's IP configuration appears correct. Option D is wrong because the VLAN is active and ports are assigned correctly.

Key principle: A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✗

    Change the switchport mode to trunk to allow VLAN 10 traffic.

    Why it's wrong here

    This would not help because the PC is an access device and trunking is not needed.

  • ✓

    Configure an SVI for VLAN 10 with an IP address in the 192.168.10.0/24 subnet.

    Why this is correct

    This creates a Layer 3 interface on the switch that can serve as the default gateway for hosts in VLAN 10.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.

    Related concept

    Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.

  • ✗

    Change the PC's IP address to a different subnet, such as 192.168.20.0/24.

    Why it's wrong here

    This would not solve the problem because the PC would still need a default gateway reachable on its subnet.

  • ✗

    Recreate VLAN 10 and reassign the port to it.

    Why it's wrong here

    The VLAN exists and the port is correctly assigned, so recreating it would not fix the missing SVI.

Option-by-option analysis

Why each answer is right or wrong

Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.

✓Configure an SVI for VLAN 10 with an IP address in the 192.168.10.0/24 subnet.Correct answer▾

Why this is correct

This creates a Layer 3 interface on the switch that can serve as the default gateway for hosts in VLAN 10.

✗Change the switchport mode to trunk to allow VLAN 10 traffic.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

Trunk mode is used for inter-switch links, not for connecting a host. The access port is properly configured.

✗Change the PC's IP address to a different subnet, such as 192.168.20.0/24.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The PC's IP is correctly configured for VLAN 10; changing it would create a mismatch with the VLAN assignment.

✗Recreate VLAN 10 and reassign the port to it.Wrong answer — click to see why▾

Why this is wrong here

The VLAN is active and the port is in the correct VLAN; the issue is the lack of a Layer 3 interface for routing.

Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: an active trunk can still block the VLAN you need

A trunk being up does not prove every VLAN is crossing it. Check allowed VLAN lists, native VLAN mismatch, VLAN existence and access-port assignment.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

VLAN questions usually combine access-port and trunking clues. The key is to identify whether the issue is local to one switchport, caused by the trunk, or caused by the VLAN not existing where it needs to exist.

KKey Concepts to Remember

  • Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.
  • Trunk ports carry multiple VLANs between switches.
  • Allowed VLAN lists decide which VLANs can cross a trunk.
  • Native VLAN mismatch can create confusing symptoms.

TExam Day Tips

  • Use show vlan brief to verify access VLANs.
  • Use show interfaces trunk to verify trunk state and allowed VLANs.
  • Do not treat every same-VLAN issue as a routing problem.

Key takeaway

A trunk being up does not mean the VLAN is allowed across it. Always verify the allowed VLAN list and whether the VLAN exists on both switches.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A help-desk technician troubleshoots why a newly connected PC cannot reach shared printers on the same floor. The cable is good, the switch port is active, but the PC is in VLAN 20 and the printers are in VLAN 10. The uplink trunk only allows VLAN 10. A trunk being up does not mean every VLAN crosses it.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 200-301 question test?

Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Configure an SVI for VLAN 10 with an IP address in the 192.168.10.0/24 subnet. — The PC is configured with an IP address of 192.168.10.50/24, but the VLAN assigned to the switchport is VLAN 10 (Engineering), which is correct. However, the default gateway for the PC must be reachable via the switch's Layer 3 interface (SVI) for VLAN 10. The problem is that the switch does not have an SVI for VLAN 10 configured. Without an SVI, the switch cannot route traffic for VLAN 10, so the PC cannot reach the default gateway. Option B is correct because configuring the SVI for VLAN 10 with an IP address in the same subnet as the PC will provide the default gateway. Option A is wrong because the port is already in access mode and VLAN 10 is correctly assigned. Option C is wrong because the PC's IP configuration appears correct. Option D is wrong because the VLAN is active and ports are assigned correctly.

What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?

Review VLAN allowed lists, native VLAN mismatch detection, and how to verify VLAN membership with show vlan brief and show interfaces trunk. Then practise related 200-301 questions on switching, trunking, and access-port configuration.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Access ports place end devices into a single VLAN.

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